Patients with kidney disease in the Upper West Region are expected to access life-saving dialysis treatment more easily following the commissioning of an expanded Dialysis Unit at the Upper West Regional Hospital in Wa, equipped with six modern dialysis machines and dialysis recliners.
The expanded facility, commissioned on August 3, 2026, was officially inaugurated by the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin, who facilitated the donation of the equipment through the Ghanaian-founded non-governmental organization, Sustainable Health Education and Interventions Limited (SHEILD).
Addressing the gathering, Rt. Hon. Bagbin stressed that access to quality healthcare is a fundamental right and should not depend on where a person lives. He said the expansion of the dialysis unit was driven by the financial, emotional and psychological hardship endured by patients and their families who previously travelled long distances to access renal care.
The Speaker recalled instances where critically ill patients from the Upper West Region had to be airlifted to Accra for dialysis, with some dying before receiving treatment. He described the expanded unit as a major step towards ensuring that life-saving kidney care is available closer to patients’ homes.
He commended the Upper West Parliamentary Caucus, Sustainable Health Education and Interventions Limited (SHEILD), the management of the Upper West Regional Hospital led by Dr. Philip Baabiineh, and the dialysis team headed by Dr. Abednego Attoh for their collective efforts in delivering the project.
Describing the intervention as “an act of service rather than a political gesture,” Rt. Hon. Bagbin urged hospital management to maintain the equipment properly and pledged his continued support to strengthen the capacity of healthcare professionals.
The Upper West Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. Josephat A. Nyuzaghl, described the donation as a significant boost to specialized healthcare delivery in the region. He assured the Speaker and development partners that the Regional Health Directorate and hospital management would uphold a strong maintenance culture through routine servicing and efficient use of the equipment.
As part of the visit, the Speaker and his delegation toured the hospital, interacting with management and staff while observing ongoing efforts to improve healthcare delivery.
The expanded Dialysis Unit is expected to increase access to life-saving kidney care, reduce referrals to hospitals outside the region, ease pressure on healthcare professionals and improve health outcomes for residents of the Upper West Region and neighbouring areas.
The project marks another significant milestone in strengthening specialized healthcare services in the Upper West Region through collaborative leadership and strategic partnerships.
The ceremony brought together a wide range of stakeholders, including the representative of the Upper West Regional Minister, Hajia Pognaa Fati Koray; the Upper West Members of Parliament Caucus led by Hon. Sebastian Sandaare; the Upper West Regional Director of Health Services, Dr. Josephat A. Nyuzaghl; traditional authorities, health professionals, community members and other dignitaries.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
